Even if making the playoffs is a long shot

Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers, April 6

Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) controls the puck against Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) and Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the second period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) controls the puck against the Ottawa Senators during the third period of a game at Madison Square Garden. The Senators defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) controls the puck against Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the second period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein (8) and Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) chase a loose puck during the first period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) and Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) chase a loose puck during the second period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save on Ottawa Senators right wing Ales Hemsky (83) during the first period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) and New York Rangers defenseman John Moore (17) chase a loose puck during the third period of a game at Madison Square Garden. The Senators defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) makes a save on New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18) during the second period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Mike Hoffman (68) and New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) chase a loose puck during the third period of a game at Madison Square Garden. The Senators defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) controls the puck against the Ottawa Senators during the third period of a game at Madison Square Garden. The Senators defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today Sports

Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) and Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) chase a loose puck during the third period of a game at Madison Square Garden. The Senators defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today Sports

Apr 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save in front of Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) and New York Rangers defenseman John Moore (17) during the first period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Topics

Seven days, four games and four hours (if none go to overtime) is all that's left for the Senators as they head into the final week of what's been a frustrating season with plenty of ups and downs.

Well, mostly downs.

Coming off a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the Senators had Sunday off in Manhattan before gathering Monday to take the quick bus ride to nearby Uniondale.

The final march towards the end of this ugly season will begin Tuesday as the Senators face the Islanders at the Nassau County Coliseum to close out this two-game road trip.

There will be changes in the off-season because many within the organization view this season as a colossal failure. The reality is the Senators haven't challenged for a playoff spot at all.

Every aspect of the organization -- including coach Paul MacLean and the roster -- will be put under the microscope once the season ends. A thorough review will be done to find out what went wrong and how it can improve.

By the time the puck is dropped against the Islanders, the Senators could be in a position to be officially eliminated.

At this point, the Senators will just try to salvage something from what's left.

"We've got to stick with it. We've still got games to play. We've still got pride in the locker room so you've got to play with pride. That's what it comes down to," said alternate captain Chris Neil.

"Every chance you get, you've got to play hard and you want to get better every day. We've always said that and there are days we've taken steps backwards this year. We still want to take steps forward. Whatever lies in front of us, we've got to deal with it."

Many in the room aren't used to not making the playoffs. Neil, one of the longest-serving Senators, will only be having his third early spring in his 13-year career with the organization.

"That's where guys show their true colours is in the playoffs," said Neil. "At the start of the year, you want to put yourself in a situation to make the playoffs.

"The way we started this year, that hurt us. We went through a stretch of not winning games. That puts you behind the eight-ball right from the get-go.

"In the East this year, it was a toss-up. You look at some of the other teams, everybody went through it at some point in the year. Teams that were winning at the start of the year, they've been able to battle through and get back on the right page. It's definitely disappointing."

Neil said the Senators have nobody to blame but themselves for what what's happened here.

"At the end of the day, we're the group that did it," said Neil. "We're the ones going on the ice and playing. When we play our system and do it right, we're a tough team to beat. When we don't, we're easy and that's the tough part to swallow.

"We've got guys that care. That's the disappointing thing because you know everybody does care."

The last time the Senators missed the playoffs was 2009-10 under former coach Cory Clouston.

The goal, since there is little left to play for, is to make sure the Senators don't go out with a whimper. They can't have efforts like the 7-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens Friday night.

That's why they were pleased to bounce back against the Rangers. It doesn't save the season but it does save a little face in a year that has gone so horribly wrong in so many ways.

"We do want to finish strong," said Neil. "The Islanders' game (last Wednesday), we had a lot of hope, we had won three in a row, we were closing the gap and still had a chance.

"Mathematically we've still got a chance so we've still got to go out and win hockey games. Anytime you put the jersey on you've got to go out and play with pride."